Laminated panel means and electrical conduit systems therefor



Oct. 29, 1963 H. KERNS 3,108,750

LAMINATED PANEL MEANS AND ELECTRICAL coNDuIT sYsTEMs THEREEOR Filed Nov.so, 1959 s sheets-sheet 1 72T ZZ Z5 1N V EN TOR.

H. KERNS Oct. 29, 1963 LAMINATED PANEL MEANS AND ELECTRICAL CONDUITSYSTEMS THEREF'OR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 50, 1959 Z .ZY

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Oct. 29, 1963 H. KERNS 3,108,750

LANINATED PANEL. MEANS AND ELECTRICAL coNDUIT sYsTEMs THEEEEOE FiledNOV. 30, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 r-'l-T P-1 l I I I T l 53 l I e. n u L'EIN a /a 22a. 25m

F'- J2- P' INVENTOR.

United States Patent O M 3,108,750 LAMINATED PANEL MEANS AND ELECTRICALCONDUH SYSTEMS THEREFR Homer Kerns, New York, NX. Filed Nov. 30, 1959,Ser. No. 856,175 1 Claim. (Cl. 24U-51.11)

This invention relates to laminated panels and more particularly tostructural panels which may be provided with electrical conduit meansformed within the laminations of the panel during the process ofmanufacture.

Referring to the embodiment of the present invention, conventional`available wall panels in general use are formed of several separatelayers of laminated board glued and pressed together into a compactlaminated panel. Such laminated panel may be mounted to ceilings andwalls and may support electrical wiring exterior thereto. The presentinvention provides for electrical conduit means mounted interior tothelayers and laminatiorns in said panel, so that they are concealed fromview.

One object of this invention is to provide a laminated panel which maybe inexpensive to manufacture and easy to erect to form ceilings, wallsand partitions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a laminated panel formedof separate layers or larninations and containing a `system ofelectrical conduits molded Within the panel during the process ofmanufacture.

A further object of this invention is to provide a laminated panel whichmay be fitted with a system of conduit wires which may be formed intothe fabric of the laminated panel, and means provided to permit themounting of such a panel to each other and in such a manner as to allowthe free passage of electric current from the first to the last panel.

An additional object of this invention is to provide electricalconnector means to permit the mounting of fluorescent light iixtures.

A further object of this invention is to provide a light fixture of sucha form and shape las to be readily adaptable to a curved laminatedpanel.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be understood fromthe more detailed descrip-tion to follow in connection with the drawingsin which:

Referring to the gures in the -accompanying drawings:

FIG. l is an embodiment of the present invention showing a number oflaminated panels mounted to walls and the ceiling of a dwelling.

FIG. 2 is a section through a laminated panel embodying the presentinvention `showing the manner in which the system of electrical conduitsis mounted in the body of the panel and the manner in which theelectrical conduits in one panel `are electrically connected to `theconduits in the next panel.

FIG. 3 is la section yon the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 showing the manner inwhich a three phase electrical conduit system, formed of threeflat-shaped wires is molded within the body of the laminated panel.

FIG. 4 :shows an enlarged section through one of the Hat-shapedelectrical conduits with its insulator covering.

FIG. -5 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the presentinvention consisting of `a laminated panel mounting a conduit system ofonly two flat-shaped wires.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section through a row of laminated panelsections showing the manner in which the electrical conduit system inone panel section connects with the electrical conduit system in anotherpanel section `to form a closed electrical circuit.

FIG. 7 shows the manner in which a connector or a light fixture box maybe mounted to a laminated panel.

FIG. 8 shows the manner of mounting a light fluorescent lam-p to acurved laminated panel.

'FIG 9 is a section on the line 9 9 of FIG. 8.

31,108,750 Patented Oct. 29, 1963 ICC FIG. 10 shows the manner in whicha laminated panel of the kind and shape illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 maybe mounted side by side in rows.

FIG. l1 shows two `distinct types of electrical conduit system which maybe provided within the laminations of a panel. At (A) is shown alaminated panel provided with a three phase wiring system while at (B)the laminated panel is provided with a conventionm three phase systemwhich may include three conventional electric wires or three pipes toreceive the wires.

FIG. 12 shows the manner in which a light fixture may be mounted to thesystem of conduit wires in a panel shown in FIG. 1l (A).

FIG. 13 is a section on the line 13--13 through the iiuorescen-t lampand the light reflector in the curved laminated panel shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is la partial section on the line 14-14 showing the electricalconnectors or contacts in the light tixture in FIG. 9.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 1 the latter i1- lustrates kanembodiment of the present invention wherein (C) designates the ceilingof a dwelling, (W) the walls and (P) a plurality of laminated panelsheld to the ceiling and walls. Referring in particular to the panels (P)the latter may be produced from `a plurality of separate laminations 2i)which are glued and pressed into one single panel during the process ofmanufacture. It may lbe seen that -an electrical conduit system` formedof three separate ilat-shaped conduit wires is fitted within thelaminations of the panel. Such a conduit system may represent a threephase alternating current wiring system consisting of `the Hat-shapedwires 21, 22 and 23 inclusive, with a direct current system having onlytwo such conduit wires. The flat-shaped wires in question may be coveredwith a mantel of insulation (V) and may run the entire length of thepanel. At either extreme ends the wires 2l, 22 and 23 rnay be shapedinto a bend portion 24 having -an elongated groove 2S to receive -afastening ybolt Iand nut 26. To permit easy access for mounting lightiixtures to the wires 21, 22 and 23, at either extreme end of lthelaminated panel, where the flat-shaped wires end into the bend 24, thepanel sections lare somewhat shorter to form `a clearance 27 which maybe in alignment with va similar clearance (or an opening) 28 in theplaster covering of the ceiling. FIG. 4 shows an enlarged sectionthrough one of the flat-shaped wires with its insulator covering (V).

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a laminated panel section which isprovided with `a duel electrical conduit system formed of twofiat-shaped wires 30 and 31. The latter being formed with a Ibracketedsection or projection 32 and 33. A similar projection is provided at theother end indicated `as 34 and 35' for each of the flanshaped wires. Theprojections 32, 33, 34 and 35 extend beyond the grooved portions 36 and37 on either side of the panel :to permit for an easy access` to theconduit wires when mounting an electric xture. lFIG. 6 shows thelaminated panels mounted side by side forming a ceiling with theirrespective projections 32 and 34 contacting so as to provide a closedelectrical connection. The panels are shown being securely held to eachother by means of the bolt and nut 38.

tFIGS. 8, 9 and l() inclusive illustrate a modification of the laminatedpanel shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 inclusive. In the latter case the panel P isformed into a curved body from a porous material 41 held within ametallic casing 47. Simi-lar arrangement of electrical conduit system asalready described is here also possible. Such a system of conduit wiresis indicated by the numeral 4S. On either side thereof, the curved panelmay be pro vided with electrical connectors of lampholders 49- andv 50.The latter may -be provided with a pair of electrical fixtures 51 and 52supporting a fluorescent lamp within the circular light reflector'54 inthe panel. To facilitate electrical connection, the electrical xtures orbrackets 51-and 52 Amay -be provided with contacting springs 55 Iand 56to hold and to support the fluorescent lamps pins (contacts) 58 and 59.FIG. 10 illustrates themannerin which ia row of curved panels similar indesign to the one shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, may be mounted side byi-sideto form a ceiling.' VSimilar Wall mounting is yalso possible.

lFIGf-12 shows ythe manner in which a fixture box 59 with a frame 60 maybe secured to the light terminal of a panel. `The connector wire leadingfrom the conduit system 61 in the panel may connect the system -to anelectrical piece of equipment (not shown).

It is to be seen from .the above description of the panel embodying thepresent invention that it cons-titutes only la preferred form, it isunderstood that other forms might be adopted, 'as m-ay come Within thescope of the claims which follow.

` What I claim is:

A laminated panel including several sections of insulated materiallaminated together to form a at laminated body, flat thin metallicstrips constituting electrical 4 conduits mounted within and running thelength of said body, said strips mounted parallel to each other andinsulat'ed one from .the other, light `source supporting means mountedto said body at each end of said body, said means comprising a pairofsupporting brackets with lamp sockets therein, screw means mounting saidsupporting brackets to said panel and in electrical contact With saidsockets, said screws passingthrough said thin metallic strip in saidpanel to establish electric contact also with said strips, an elongatediluorescent lamp mounted in said sockets of said bracket means, thescrew means in one bracket passing through one strip, and the screwmeans in the other bracket passing through another strip to allowpassage of electricl current from said strips to said sockets to lightthe fluorescent lamp.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS CarterOct. 18, 1960

